Earnestly Contending For The Faith Which Was Once Delivered Unto The Saints

Earnestly Contending For The Faith Which Was Once Delivered Unto The Saints

Striving Together For The Gospel

Paul exhorted the church at Philippi to “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27).

The church on earth is made up of sinners saved by the grace of God in Christ. It is the light of truth in a dark world. It is the church of the living God and the pillar and ground of truth.

Our existence, our message, our witness in this world is opposed to all that the world stands for and desires. Therefore, we cannot fulfill our mission as a church without being confrontational both to the world and to the remaining sin and darkness within ourselves.

Our peace and comfort is in Christ and in the fellowship of brethren, but there will be no perfect rest for us in this world. This is our whole life as Christians here on earth.

And if the Lord keeps us here into old age, we will find even then that the church on earth is not a retirement home for weary warriors as much as it is a stronghold and fortress of truth that stands in opposition to and is at war with the world, the flesh, and the devil.

There is rest and peace for the people of God IN CHRIST and in the fellowship of brethren, but this world is neither our home nor our friend. Never forget two things our Lord taught His disciples in John 16:33 – (1) “In the world ye shall have tribulation.”